Rusty is a lifelong entrepreneur. With an extensive background in building companies, he understands the variables involved in startups. In 2014, he founded KitchenTown to help food entrepreneurs ideate, create and grow their business in the smartest way possible. He advocates for founders, cultivates relationships, and fosters partnerships that strengthen and inspire innovation for the next generation of food startups. Feed him kale, croissants, or crickets. He’s game.

Sarah is a researcher, strategist, foresight practitioner and designer with almost a decade of experience working across the global food and agriculture industry. She formerly led the Food Futures Lab at Institute for the Future. She’s a dynamic facilitator and trusted advisor who loves supporting food changemakers to make sense of emerging trends and build more resilient, equitable, and humane food systems. You can also find her rock climbing, experimenting with new ways to cook vegetables, and doing elaborate craft projects. 

Elliot helps early stage food startups tackle day-to-day challenges while keeping the KitchenTown facility running smoothly.  He has a background in restaurants, specialty food, and whole animal butchery, with a passion for maintaining strong local food systems.  He spends his free time cycling around the Bay Area or relaxing with family.

Brandi Moody is an experienced marketer with a passion for brand storytelling, the consumer experience, and enjoys a keen sense of burgeoning trends. Her range of experience spans a multitude of industries including wine & spirits, cannabis, action sports, personal care, and tech. Brandi shines in the art of wordsmithing and crafting digestible language that reaches and resonates with relevant audiences. In her spare time, Brandi fancies herself an epicurean who enjoys process driven recipes, home gardening and travel.

Albanie is a collaborator, creator, and maverick. She entered the food industry as a server and caterer, and has since done marketing, content creation, and research. She loves exploring new food trends and is passionate about designing a more sustainable and just food system. When she’s not working, you can find Albanie hiking, boxing, painting, or enjoying the hottest new plant-based meal in town.

Maricruz is a jane of all trades.  She has supported many different functions of a food business including production, product inventory control, customer service, and quality assurance.  She owns all administrative duties in the office and feeds people delicious food at all hours of the day. 

Danny is an experienced facilities manager with technical expertise in sanitation.  He has worked across a variety of industries, can fix anything, and is a passionate long-distance cycling enthusiast.